We review the latest SUV from Mahindra, the XUV 700. We use the concepts of management theories to review the XUV 700, based on its strengths, weaknesses. Finding opportunities for Mahindra to make the XUV 700 better & look at the threat it faces from its rivals.
The XUV 700 can be configured either in a five or a seven-seater option. Further, there are two engine options, a 2.0 Litre M-Stallion Petrol Engine & a 2.2 L M-Hawk Diesel engine. Both the engine options can be paired to a manual or an automatic gearbox.
Let us start Mahindra XUV 700 SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Variants & Configuration: The XUV 700 comes in four variants with 23 configurations. Buyers can configure the XUV 700 in either a five or a seven-seater option. Further, there are two engine options, a 2.0 Litre M-Stallion Petrol Engine & a 2.2 L M-Hawk Diesel engine. Both the engine options can be paired to a manual or an automatic gearbox. The base variant MX does miss out on all the fancy features that the XUV 700 has been hyped for. But it ensures that buyers on a budget can experience the XUV 700 with a starting price of Rs 12.49 Lakhs.
- High-end premium features: The XUV 700 has taken inspiration directly from the German luxury automaker Mercedes, quite evidently. The XUV 700 gets a wide cockpit screen that houses the touch infotainment system integrated with the digital instrument cluster. The powered seat adjustment knobs are placed on the door panels just like you would find on any Mercedes. The door handle is enclosed in the door panels and it pops out electrically like the Range Rover Velar, which looks and feels really premium for the segment. The XUV 700 also gets Electronic Parking Brake along with Auto-Hold feature.
- Safety Features: The XUV 700 received a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP, making it the safest SUV in the segment. The XUV boasts an impeccable 4-star child safety rating too with the use of 7 Airbags. Mahindra was able to achieve this milestone with an enhanced monocoque body shell with more weld spots than before. The XUV 700 also gets Autonomous Driving Assist features like Front Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, High beam assist & Traffic sign recognition.
- AWD & Drive Modes: The XUV 700 is the only SUV which is offered with AWD capabilities. However, it is only offered in the diesel variant and the much more powerful petrol engine misses out on the AWD option. The XUV 700 also comes with Drive modes with different tunes for the engine. For example, the diesel engine gets a detuned 155 HP in the zip mode for fuel efficiency and city driveability and in the zap & zoom mode, the engine delivers all the 185 HP. So unlike basic driving modes available in other cars which just alter the throttle and steering response, the XUV 700 lets you enjoy different tunes of an engine by just switching to different modes as per your usage.
Weaknesses
Since we have not driven the XUV 700 yet, it was difficult finding the weaknesses because, with all that the XUV 700 has to offer, there wasn’t much room left for weaknesses. However, based on our observation here are a few of its weaknesses.
- Quality of Plastics in interiors
- Third Row Space
- Boot Space
- No AWD option with Petrol Engine
The weaknesses also become opportunities for Mahindra to improve the XUV 700 in future. As with the improved quality of plastics in the interiors, increased boot & 3rd-row space along with an AWD option with a petrol engine will surely make it one of the most perfect cars existing in the industry.
Threats
- Tata Harrier & Tata Safari
- MG Hector
- Jeep Compass
- Hyundai Alcazar
Hope you liked your XUV 700 SWOT Analysis. Do share your views if you own one or plan to buy.